A suspected commercial sex worker who was seen in a viral video stripped and tied to a chair in an Abuja hotel has revealed her ordeal in the hands of the suspect, a 30-year-old man named Joseph Efe.
Efe, who was detained for taking a mobile phone from the alleged sex worker, claimed he did so to collect money for his sickle cell anaemia-stricken sister.
Dr. Olusola Odumosu, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps FCT Commandant, told the press on Friday that the suspect was apprehended on Wednesday at the Top View hotel in Abuja.
During his confession to journalists, Efe stated that he met the victim on a “hookup site” before inviting her to the spot.
The suspect stated that he tied the victim to prevent her from getting help as he exited the hotel after stealing from her.
“I tied her so that she would not run after me as I fled. I told her to take off her clothes so that even if she can untie herself before she puts on her clothes, I will be long gone,” Efe said.
He mentioned that before his arrest, he had stolen from four victims in Port Harcourt, Lagos, and Abuja.
Narrating her ordeal, the victim (name withheld) said that she had been on the hookup site called “coded site.”.
”I met the suspect some months ago. I live in Enugu but visit Abuja for other business reasons.
“When I got to the hotel, the suspect asked me if I was afraid of death.
“He said if I cooperate with him, he will not hurt me like other girls. He said his friend was outside, and if I made any wrong move, he injected me with something.
“He said if I cooperate with him, he will not hurt me like other girls. He said his friend was outside, and if I made any wrong move, he injected me with something.
“I pleaded with him; he slapped me and asked me to strip my clothes. I tried to get to the door, but it was locked by him, and he held the keys,” she said.
She further added that he stole her phone, unlocked it, forced her thumb on the screen, and requested her bank account details.
She said after unlocking the phone, he learnt that she didn’t have money in the account.
“He warned me not to make any noise and left the room.
“I later noticed movement outside the door and saw the colour of the uniform the person was wearing and was relieved that it was the hotel staff.
“I struggled and dragged myself to the window and banged it hard. Luckily, the guy heard me, and I made a sign pointing in the direction the suspect went,” she said.
The NSCDC FCT Commandant stated that the suspect was apprehended by NSCDC operatives while attempting to flee the hotel.
The video of the lady and victim in the hotel room was not captured by NSCDC personnel.
“Let it be made clear that the video in circulation on this incident was not shot by the operatives of the NSCDC, as we only became aware of its existence when it went viral on social media,” he said.
He stated that following a preliminary inquiry, the suspect and victim will be turned over to the appropriate authorities for further action and investigation.
“We are duty bound and empowered to do due diligence before taking necessary steps towards prosecuting or handing over a suspect as the case may be to any relevant sister agency,” according to him.
The commandant ordered hotel managers to be more alert and to do a better job protecting customers.
“Ensure your hotel facilities and premises are not used as a place to perpetuate crime.
“Let me also caution all young ladies, also known as ‘runs girls’, to desist from such acts that will endanger their lives but rather engage in legitimate businesses to earn a living,” he said.
